Kampala Northern Bypass Highway

The Kampala Northern Bypass Highway, often referred to as the Northern Bypass, is a road in Uganda. It forms a semicircle across the northern suburbs of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. The road was constructed to relieve traffic congestion within the city center, allowing cross-country traffic to bypass the city's downtown area.[2]

Kampala Northern Bypass Highway
Route information
Length14 mi (23 km)
HistoryDesignated in 2004
Completion in 2022[1]
Major junctions
East endBweyogerere
Major intersectionsNaalya
Kisaasi
Bukoto
Bwaise
Namungoona
West endBusega
Location
CountryUganda
Highway system

Location
Bypass Highway in Kiwaatule

The bypass stretches from Namboole, approximately 11 kilometres (7 mi) to the east of downtown Kampala.[3]

The highway winds through the suburbs of Naalya, Kiwaatule, Kulambiro, Kigoowa, Bukoto, Mulago, Makerere, Bwaise, Kawaala, and Namungoona, to end at Busega, approximately 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) west of the city.[4] The highway measures approximately 22.5 kilometres (14 mi) in length.[5][6] The coordinates of the road at its northernmost point are 00°21′56″N 32°36′18″E.[7]

Overview

The bypass opened to traffic on 1 October 2009.[8] Constructed between 2004 and 2009, the bypass is about 22 kilometres (14 mi) long.[8] The project was funded by the European Union and the Uganda government.[8]

Expansion

In August 2012, Ugandan print media reported that expansion of the bypass to dual carriageway for its entire length would begin in early 2013.[9] Funding for the expansion is being provided by the European Investment Bank, the European Union, and the Ugandan government.[9]

In May 2014, the Uganda National Roads Authority awarded the construction contract for the expansion to Mota-Engil, Engenharia E Construcao SA, a subsidiary of the Mota-Engil civil engineering and construction conglomerate based in Portugal. Construction was expected to start in June 2014 and last 30 months.[4]

In October 2014, Ugandan print media reported that the construction start was postponed to the end of 2014 and would last approximately 30 months.[10]

On 23 February 2015, the widening of the bypass was officially launched.[11][6][12]

Construction costs are budgeted at €67.4 million. The breakdown of the funding sources is in the table below:[13]

Kampala Northern Bypass Extension Funding
RankDevelopment PartnerContribution in EurosPercentageNotes
1European Union37.0 million54.90Grant
2European Investment Bank15.0 million22.25Loan
3Government of Uganda15.4 million22.85Investment
Total67.4 million100.00

As of December 2018, an estimated 51 percent of the work had been completed, with completion planned in 2021. Six interchanges are planned to replace existing roundabouts at (1) Sentema Road (3) Hoima Road (3) Gayaza Road (4) Bukoto/Kyebando (5) Ntinda/Kisaasi and at (6) Naalya.[14]

As of March 2020, with an estimated 70 percent of the expansion completed, completion was still planned for the 4th quarter of 2021. The delays were blamed on protracted land acquisition processes, changes in road design and increased scope of work (construction of new road interchanges).[15]

In August 2021, it was reported that work was in its final stages, with completion expected during the 4th quarter of 2021. At that time the cost of the road was reported as €106million (about UShs445 billion).[16]

In January 2022, the completed dual carriageway road was commissioned by Jessica Alupo, the Vice President of Uganda. The highway is a component of the Northern Corridor.[1]

Points of interest

Some of the points of interest along or near the bypass include:[17] (1) Mandela National Stadium, at Bweyogerere. (2) Mulago Hill, the highway skirts the northern borders of the hill between Bukoto and Bwaise. (3) Kampala–Bombo Road, crosses the Northern Bypass, at the northern end of Makerere University Campus.(4) Makerere University, the road passes near the northern borders of the university campus between Bwaise and Kawaala. (5) Kampala–Mityana Road, joins the highway at Busega where Kasumba Square Mall is located. (6) Entebbe–Kampala Expressway, joins the bypass highway at Busega. (7) Kampala–Masaka Road, is connected to the bypass highway by a short connector at Busega.[18]

Transport

In September 2022 Kalita Bus Company, a private enterprise, began public rapid bus transport service Between Bweyogerere and Busega, covering the entire length of the Northern Bypass Highway. The service began with two electric motor coaches of the Kayoola EVS variety, manufactured by Kiira Motors Corporation.[19]

See also

References
  1. Benson Tumusiime (24 January 2022). "VP Alupo warns public against vandalising road infrastructure". Daily Monitor. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  2. Kyle Duncan Kushaba (9 August 2016). "Bweyogerere: The home of Ugandan soccer". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  3. Google (20 July 2021). "Road Distance Between Bank of Uganda, Central Kampala And Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, Wakiso District, Uganda" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  4. Innocent Anguyo (13 May 2014). "Portuguese firm awarded sh200b Northern Bypass contract". Kampala: New Vision. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  5. Google (20 July 2021). "Road Distance Between Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, Wakiso District, Uganda And Busega, Lubaga Division, Kampala City, Uganda" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  6. Nelson Bwire (27 March 2015). "Expansion works on Northern Bypass expected to ease trade". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  7. Google (11 November 2015). "Location of Kampala Northern Bypass Highway At Kisaasi Interchange" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
  8. Mulondo, Moses (28 September 2009). "Northern Bypass opens on Thursday". New Vision. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  9. Balagadde, Samuel (10 August 2012). "Expansion of Northern Bypass starts early 2013". New Vision. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  10. Balagadde, Samuel (16 October 2014). "Sh30b set for compensation on second phase of Northern Bypass". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  11. Kazibwe, Kenneth (24 February 2015). "Museveni Launches $67m Northern Bypass Extension". Chimpreports.com. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  12. Musisi, Frederic (2 August 2016). "Uganda: UNRA Warns Encroachers on Entebbe Road Reserve". Daily Monitor via AllAfrica.com. Kampala. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  13. APA (24 February 2015). "Ugandan leader commissions EU-funded Northern By-Pass highway". En.starafrica.com. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  14. Kabengwa, James (10 December 2018). "Land disputes disrupt works on Northern Bypass". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  15. Arthur Arnold Wadero (6 March 2020). "Government pledges to complete northern bypass in 2021". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  16. Amos Ngwomoya (7 August 2021). "New traffic changes on Northern Bypass". Daily Monitor. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  17. Google (12 February 2016). "Map Showing the Location And Route of Kampala Northern Bypass Highway And the Neighborhoods It Traverses" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  18. Google (15 June 2016). "Map of Short Road Connector Between Kampala Northern Bypass Highway to The Top And Kampala–Masaka Road to the Bottom" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  19. Uganda Update News (11 September 2022). "Uganda's first 100% electric bus clocks 50,000 kms on the road as Minister Musenero Inspects city mass transport system". Ugandaupdatenews.com. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
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